Responsibilities

• Lead an integrated communications and engagement function spanning external communications, media, reputation, internal communications and strategic storytelling.
• Working closely with senior leaders, you will turn organisational priorities into a focused, insight-led strategy and make sure communications is considered early in major decisions, transformation and service development.
• Be a trusted adviser to senior leaders, able to anticipate risk, shape complex or sensitive messages and build confidence in how we communicate.
• Lead and develop the Communications and Engagement team, creating clear priorities and effective ways of working across Marketing, Digital, Fundraising, Retail, Clinical Services, the People Team and Corporate Partnerships.
• Develop and deliver a comprehensive, insight-led communications and engagement strategy that strengthens reputation, supports organisational priorities and enables long-term sustainability.
• As a member of the wider leadership community, shape organisational narrative, supporting transformation and championing a culture of openness, collaboration and impact.

Requirements

• Senior-level experience across communications, engagement or public relations, with evidence of delivering strategy against organisational priorities.
• Sound judgement in media relations, reputation management, issues preparedness and sensitive or crisis communications.
• The credibility to advise and influence senior stakeholders, including when the message or decision is difficult.
• Experience leading internal and external communications across multiple audiences and channels, including organisational change or transformation.
• A strong track record of leading and developing teams, establishing priorities and improving delivery.
• The ability to use audience insight, feedback and performance measures to make choices and improve impact.
• Excellent writing, storytelling and verbal communication, with a clear commitment to inclusive and accessible communication.
• A collaborative, commercially aware approach
• You do not need to come from a hospice or charity background. What matters is that you can bring relevant expertise, understand the responsibility attached to our work and use your skills to deliver meaningful, measurable impact.

Benefits

• Company pension scheme or NHS pension scheme for eligible employees
• Up to 35 days’ annual leave inclusive of bank holidays
• On-site education support and study leave opportunities
• Option to access Bupa and cover your everyday cost of healthcare for less
• Free parking, subsidised meals and various social activities
• Corporate rate gym membership, discounts with local complementary therapies and Blue Light Card
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Death in Service